Suffolk Police Seeking Christmas Day Car Thief

Surveillance image of suspect accused of stealing a car from a 7-Eleven parking lot. (credit: Suffolk County Police)

Surveillance image of suspect accused of stealing a car from a 7-Eleven parking lot. (credit: Suffolk County Police)

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Police are offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of a man accused of stealing a car from a 7-Eleven parking lot in Central Islip on Christmas morning.

According to Suffolk County police, the suspect described as a Hispanic man entered the convenience store on Calebs Path just after 4 a.m. on Dec. 25. When he left the store, he stole a 2008 Nissan Altima that another customer had left unlocked and running in the parking lot, police said.

The car was recovered about an hour later in Hauppauge. The suspect had apparently crashed the car into a pole and fled the scene.

Police have released a surveillance image of the suspect and have asked anyone who may know the man to come forward.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.